Saturday, November 10, 2012

My first tutorial. Your first bag...

Well, I've decided it's finally time to bite the bullet and post a tutorial! So, I'm starting simple! Feel free to offer constructive feedback for next time! I'm starting with a very simple bag I designed for some young girls that came to my house and wanted to learn to sew! This is a great beginners project but of course anyone can make it! It's a very handy bag and my daughter (10) uses hers all the time! Enjoy...!

Turn top of pocket over approx 1" and sew down sides approx 1/4" in (just on inside of overlocked edge)

Turn top right side and press, fold up corners into triangles, press seams using overlocked edge as a guide

Sew top of pocket to seal in edges, pin pocket to front of bag, approximately 1" in from sewn join, sew down close to side and bottom edges

Make 2nd pocket as above (omitting corners if desired) and sew to middle (or as desired) or one inner bag piece

Sew 2nd side of front pieces together to make a tube, then turn until pocket is approximately centred on front and sew bottom seam as shown

Place both inside pieces right sides facing and overlock down side, along bottom, up second side, turn pieces right side out and check you're satisfied. Have a little break if you need one!

Cut 2 straps 4" x 36" (or join two pieces together to make roughly that size, preferably using a diagonal join)

Fold your straps lengthwise and press, fold both sides in to the middle.

Top stitch both sides close to edges to seal

Attach your handles to outside of bag approximately 2" in from sides, making sure you don't twist them.

Sew them down approx 3/4" from edge

Turn inside of bag inside out, place outside of bag into it lining up side seams and raw top edge. Make sure the side of the lining with the pocket is on the opposite side to the pocket on the front of the bag.

Pin in place to hold together ensuring handles are not caught in, and leaving gap for turning (I left a gap between the handles)

Sew around top edge approx 1" from top, leaving gap for turning

Pull bag through opening (grab the handles!)

When your bag is fully turned you can then push the inside back into the outside the right way!

Press top edge ensuring the inside lining does not show on the front, taking special care at the opening.

Top stitch edge of bag close to edge, ensuring you seal both sides of the turning opening together.

Stitch a second row of stitching another 1/4" down.

Press your bag!

Front!

Back!

Enjoy!

Thanks for visiting! This is a very simple bag so I'm happy for you to link it on your blog, or make to sell, as long as you reference me as the designer! I'd love to see any you make so please post in my flickr group which you can find at http://www.flickr.com/groups/thecraftycamel/ Hopefully this will be the first of many tutorials... come again!